Suspend to RAM

You’ll never do anything as cool as this…

Seriously, read my blog or buy something already.

INC Gamers recently had an interview with some big shots over at Blizzard recently, and one of the things that caught my eye the most was lack of LAN play.

We got quite different answers about local area networking (LAN), where both Dustin or Sigaty said they were still discussing it, however, Pardo knew immediately: “we don’t have any plans to support LAN,” he said and clarified “we will not support it.” The only multiplayer available will be on Battle.net.

Way to go Blizzard, give the finger to the community that still plays your game.  Seriously I haven’t played a battle.net game of Starcraft or Warcraft III in YEARS because 90% of the time you’re either playing over-caffeinated Korean kids or jackholes wanting to play DotA.  The ONLY time Warcraft III or Starcraft get dusted off on my PCs is during a LAN party or at QuakeCon.

Get bent Blizzard.

If you folks like or want any of the products that I highlight on this site, the only favor I ask is that you purchase via the links on the left.  You’ll help support this site by not making it hostage to subscriptions and donations.  The first thing I’ll use the proceeds for is buying a video camera so I can bring y’all video reviews.  Right now all I have is a webcam and a digital still camera (not counting cell phone). 

I also need money to buy products to review.  I’ve got a WRT160NL on order right now and I’ll attempt to make a video review (or at the very least a review with lots of pitchers.  I may also have a netbook for review in a couple weeks.

Linksys has kinda been on the losing edge when it comes to routers that take open source firmware.  The WRT54GL (linked over on your left) is decades old.  They are by no means the only maker of an open source router out there, but they are the easiest to find in stores.  There’s been a few other routers out there that run Linux and even support newer technologies like 802.11n Wi-Fi.  However, Linksys has caught up with the rest of the Universe and has released to us the WRT160NL.

[Linksys]

Soon as I can get my mitts on one of these puppies expect me to write up a full review.

Just upgraded Word Press and the theme I was using to support my Amazon.com side-widgets.  If you want to see what kind of music I’m buying check it out, also you can see my personal top picks of items.  I don’t have time at present to update Podpress so the old podcasts are down for the time being.  They will be back up shortly.

If I can get my past co-hosts interested we may do a 30 minute welcome back podcast.

Well, I said I was going to start posting on my blog soon.  I just didn’t think it would be this soon.

The topic I want to go on about a bit with this post is cable modems.  In my time as an on-site computer technician I’ve seen lots of bizzarre problems crop up with the modems and some modems that were utter GARBAGE!  However, I have to say, if there’s one thing Motorola can get right its their cable modems.

I first got Cable internet back in 2003 via a Best Buy employee discount that was available at the time.  Mind you I no longer get the discount, but the speed’s been great.  The modem I bought out of the 4 or so available at the time was the Motorola SB5100 Surfboard cable modem.  By far this has to be the B-E-S-T cable modem in the universe.  For the past six years this modem hasn’t gotten more than about a 24 hour break unplugged from power and it just keeps plugging along surviving incidents that have damaged other computer equipment in my home.  It puts up with loads from torrents on a near constant basis and NEVER flinches.  I think this modem has only choked on me ONCE the entire time i owned it.  Which is pretty damn good.

This critter is WAAAAAY better than the pieces of junk that the cable company will rent to you.  Most of those company provided modems are the cheapest they can get their grubby mitts on.

Now Motorola has stopped selling the SB5100, but now they offer the SB5101 which is the same modem with a few updates for faster DOCSIS standards.  If you’re renting a cable modem, you’re a DAMN FOOL for doing so and should seriously plunk down the $50 for one of these babies.  You won’t regret it.  Luckily they’re on Amazon for $49.99 (Link below)

Now as for hooking up cable modems, unless your PC is pushing 10 years old you have absolutely NO REASON to ever use the USB connection on the cable modem.  I’ve seen lots of computers just crater because the USB connection was doing funky things to their system.  Most common of which is a poor ground on the CATV wire and stray Alternating current ends up coming into the PC via the USB cable (since the PC has a ground and the modem does not.)  Get yourself an Ethernet cable if you didn’t get one with your modem.  I can’t stress that enough.  The idiots with Dell tech support won’t figure this out if you get the weird error code on your PC which won’t go away with the field tech replaces the system board.

I know alot of folks were wondering “WTF is Mr Evil doing?” Well a lot’s been going on in my life but a recent change has actually made me want to do this blog again.  Now I’m not going to provide the same amount of Podcasts that I had done in the past.  However there will be regular postings by me, mostly tech related.  Maybe even some that mix in a little politics.

I’ll be trying to do more overall coverage of the tech industry both written, and maybe even do a podcast here and there.  So stay tuned to the site as there will be more developments coming in the future.

Sorry to all my loyal listeners.  Unfortunately due to obligations to school and work, I have been unable to squeeze in any time to do podcasts.  Finals are almost here and once those are complete, expect to hear back from myself and Wussie on a regular basis.

I know it’s been a while in the making, but Wussie did get his headset fixed and we now have Episode 7 of Suspend to RAM for you.  We’re talking about Data backup and reinstalling of your Windows Operating system on your PC.  Definitely helpful for everybody.

In the podcast we talked about a couple useful utilities that are free to download and will be helpful in your efforts of data retrieval and OS Installation.

 http://www.ubcd4win.com – Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder - Bart PE
http://www.nliteos.com – nLite

 I’ll have the prize for January’s drawing next week, it will be a flash drive, but you’ll have to stay tuned to find out.  If you want a fighting chance at winning it, send your tech related questions to help@suspendtoram.com and include your name address and e-mail address.  This will not only let you pick mine and wussie’s massive brains, but will also get you some free stuff.

 

 Episode 7 [32:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Downloads 162

Well, we were going to record, but my co-host Wussie hasn’t repaired his headset yet.  Hopefully we’ll have the show up before the night is over.  Sorry for the delay, I know how you folks can’t stand to live without the injection of awesome my podcast brings to you!